<span style="color: #222222;">In Venezuela, President Nicolas Maduro urged his troops to be ready for potential US military action, as supporters of opposition leader Juan Guaido marched on barracks in a new bid to win the armed forces' support. <br />''<br />''Underscoring the continued military support for his socialist regime, Maduro yesterday delivered his televised address from a base in northwestern Cojedes state — where he appeared alongside his defense minister, Vladimir Padrino, and in the presence of more than 5,000 troops. The United States has refused to take the threat of military action off the table in its push to oust Maduro — although it so far has limited its campaign to ramping up sanctions. Guaido's cause gained renewed support yesterday  when US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a direct appeal to the Venezuelan people yesterday to drive Maduro out from power. In a video message, Mike Pompeo asserted that United States stands firmly with the people of Venezuela.    </span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">National Assembly head Guaido has branded Maduro a usurper over his controversial re-election last year, and in January declared himself acting president, plunging Venezuela into a political crisis that deepened its already grave economic woes.</span><br />